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Minimum Stocking Levels and Marketing Strategies of Healthful Foods for Small Retail Food Stores

Overview

The healthfulness of foods and beverages found in retail food stores differs widely across the United States, both by location of the store as well as by store type. Communities with predominantly white residents have two to four
times more supermarkets and large-chain grocery stores than communities of color. In contrast, lower-income and communities of color have more small food outlets, such as small food stores (‘corner stores’) and convenience stores. These small food stores primarily tend to sell prepackaged foods and beverages that are high in calories and poor in nutrients. They are also less likely to sell healthy, staple foods such as fruits and vegetables, whole grain-rich
foods, and low-fat dairy products.
 
Thus, some communities have limited access to stores that carry healthful foods, and these limitations likely contribute, at least in part, to disparities in diet and health. As such, several strategies are now being implemented in many locations across the
United States to increase access to healthy foods in underserved communities. 

Perspectives of Urban Corner Store Owners and Managers on Community Health Problems and Solutions

Overview

Urban corner store interventions have been implemented to improve access to and promote purchase of healthy foods. However, the perspectives of store owners and managers, who deliver and shape these interventions in collaboration with nonprofit, government, and academic partners, have been largely overlooked. We sought to explore the views of store owners and managers on the role of their stores in the community and their beliefs about health problems and solutions in the community.

Mid South Healthy Food Initiative Program Summary

Overview

Administered by Hope Enterprise Corporation in partnership with The Food Trust, the Mid South Healthy Food Financing Initiative is a regional healthy food financing program that offers flexible financing for new store development and renovations, as well as training with retailers to promote healthier choices projects across three states in the Mid South region.

Retail Environment Conversation Starters

Overview

This set of 4 one-pagers introduces the rationale behind and benefits of a comprehensive approach to the retail environment. Use the sample talking points in each of the conversation starters below to identify shared goals and make the case for collaboration.

Healthy Retail: A Set of Tools for Policy and Partnership

Overview

Developed by ChangeLab Solutions, this set of tools, including a playbook and policy poster, conversation starter, and collaboration workbook offers resources for, offers framing, strategies, and examples to develop a comprehensive approach to improving the healthy food retail environment.
 

Effects of Proximity to Supermarkets on a Randomized Trial Studying Interventions for Obesity

Overview

This study assessed whether proximity to a supermarket modified the effects of an obesity intervention for participating children aged 6 to 12 years with a body mass index (BMI) at or above the 95th percentile. Authors found that living closer to a supermarket is associated with greater improvements in fruit and vegetable intake and weight status in an obesity intervention. 

Rural Grocery Store Survey: At-a-Glance

Overview

This fact sheet is the first in a series that share “at-a-glance” findings from questions related to what it is like to run a grocery store in rural Minnesota. The University of Minnesota Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships (RSDP) worked with the Minnesota Center for Survey Research to conduct a statewide survey of Minnesota’s rural grocers, with the findings presented here. 

Healthy Food Access: A View of the Landscape in Minnesota and Lessons Learned from Healthy Food Financing Initiatives - Summary

Overview

This study explored healthy food financing initiatives (HFFIs)—one possible solution for expanding healthy food access in underserved communities. HFFIs are public-private funds that offer flexible capital in the form of loans and grants to developers and operators of food retail businesses. Interviews with managers of existing funds throughout the United States reveal that: 
 
  • Seed money, including funds for planning and administration, is important for a successful launch. 
  • To date, the majority of HFFI dollars have gone to support already established business owners. 
  • Many healthy food projects are not equipped to take on debt. Grants or forgivable loans are needed in order to produce additional healthy food outlets, especially in areas that, from a business standpoint, would be considered unprofitable. 
  • Flexible sources of capital are critical for maximum deployment of funds, and project requirements should not be overly restrictive. 
  • HFFI-funded projects have helped to create jobs, expand healthy food retail, and eliminate food deserts. In some neighborhoods, these projects also spurred additional community revitalization. (4) 
  • There are several cases of HFFI loan recipients partnering with other organizations, including community clinics, medical schools, and fitness facilities, to improve resident health. According to managers of HFFI funds, retail outlets need to be rooted in the community in order to be successful. To that end, business owners can play an important role in supporting population health improvement goals. 
 

Healthy Food Access: A View of the Landscape in Minnesota and Lessons Learned from Healthy Food Financing Initiatives

Overview

The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis and Wilder Research conducted a mixed-methods study to provide information to those interested in improving Minnesota's food retail environment.

CED and CED-HFFI Funding Opportunity Announcements

Overview

This session presented information about the CED and CED-HFFI grant competition, based on the CED and CED-HFFI funding opportunity announcements (FOAs). It outlined the programs’ purposes and strategies, provided tips and tools for submitting an application for CED or CED-HFFI funding, and identified key application criteria and requirements.

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